Prisoner gouges out his EYES in protest at how hot his cell was

Prisoner gouges out his EYES in protest at how hot his cell was

CONDITIONS: The inmate complained that his cell was too hot [ROSSPARRY/SWNS]

The unnamed inmate at HMP Nottingham self-inflicted the horrific injuries earlier this week, as temperatures in the area rocketed to 25C.

Several prisoners decided to take action after suffering the "dreadful" conditions but the wardens were forced to call for an ambulance after the prisoner – who was just days away from being released – "cut the eyes out of his face" using a makeshift blade.

A source at the jail said: "He was protesting.

"The heat is so high. Prisoners can't deal with it.

"They need to let some air in the room."

One woman from Hucknall, Notts., who has a friend in the prison added: "It is disgusting.

"They hardly leave their cells, being in there at least 23 hours a day if not 24.

"They can have as little as one shower a week and exercise twice a week, which they are meant to have every day.

"That place is just horrible."

East Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed they were called to the prison to treat a male patient who was later taken to hospital for treatment to "facial injuries".

A pal of one prisoner, who did not want to be named, said that the conditions in the prison were "a breach of their human rights".

They said: "They can barely move and it is making them very agitated and uncomfortable.

"They are losing their minds in there – I wouldn't be surprised it it kicks off again.

"I know there's fears there will be more trouble, it's like being trapped in a boiling hot coffin for most of the day. It would send anyone over the edge."

SHIV: The prisoner used a makeshift blade in the attack [ROSSPARRY/SWNS]

“The heat is so high. Prisoners can't deal with it”

Jail source

The Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) said recent changes in operations – including 140 job losses at the prison – were "unsustainable" and would lead to "more prisoner disruption and a further reduction in already low staff morale" in the future.

It said prisoners were being stopped from having showers, work and education programmes were being cancelled, prisoners with serious mental health problems were being kept in cells formerly used for solitary confinement and Muslim inmates' food had been contaminated with pork products.

A Prison Service spokesman said: "Staffing levels at HMP Nottingham are at an appropriate level to ensure the prison runs safely. "Our approach to staffing levels has been agreed with the unions and puts prison officers back in front-line roles where they are most needed."

A statement from the Ministry of Justice said of Monday's incident: "A prisoner at HMP Nottingham was taken to hospital following an act of self-harm. "Staff reacted quickly and paramedics attended. No other prisoners were involved.

"The prison is investigating the incident and police were informed as a matter of course."

This isn't the only recent case of a prisoner self-harming while in prison.

In June, Derry man Sean Lynch gouged out his own eyes, slashed his wrists and throat and mutilated his genitals while on remand in Maghaberry Jail.

He described it as a "desperate cry for help", having suffered with worsening mental problems while banged up.